ブラック クイーン ブラック ジャックellence in Filtration Vantech Co., Ltd

Website: Vantech Co., LtdExternal site: a new window will open
Category: Japanese Machinery

The filter is mightier than the pen

More than 60 years ago, the predecessor of Vantech Co., Ltd was Kabutogi Manufacturing Co., Ltd, which made its mark manufacturing fountain-pen nibs. Machines pressed out the metal parts but assembly was done by hand, so when mass production by larger pen-makers took over, the company decided to switch over to metal filters. "We were able to use the same machines," explains Toru Oshima, Vantech's current CEO.

Some years later, the decision has proven to be a wise one: the company ships some three million filters every month, and Vantech's share in the Japanese domestic market is around 50 percent. Oshima says Vantech filters are primarily utilized in air-conditioning, refrigerators, and air conditioning systems for cars.

photo

Vantech President Toru Oshima

photo

Vantech's metal wire mesh filters in various sizes

Speed, service and quality

Vantech might not be the only company producing filters, but Oshima points to a key distinction. "We distinguish ourselves with our ability to provide a quick response to customers," he says. In one example, other suppliers had turned away a client with an urgent mass order of 200,000 parts. Oshima says the norm is to request one or two months' turnaround-Vantech was able to complete the order in less than two weeks.Vantech also emphasizes the ability to develop products by creating prototypes tailored to meet the specific needs of all customers. Product quality is also ensured by the company's utilization of advanced technology, including bubble point testers and pressure drop measurement equipment.

Vantech also adds value thanks to outstanding quality control backed by ISO9001 certification. During production, units are first measured carefully to verify size. Products are then checked every subsequent hour for possible discrepancies. When production is finished, our products undergo thorough visual inspections before shipping.

photo

A machine punches out metal mesh

Keeping costs down

Cost remains a challenge, as countries with lower labor expenses can offer similar goods for much cheaper. For that reason, Vantech is implementing various initiatives to reduce costs, automating production in Japan where possible and shifting hand assembly to factories mainly in China and Thailand.

photo

Vantech’s utilizes thorough visual inspection methods

Going Global

Oshima hopes Vantech's high-quality filters can be brought to use in more countries around the world. Not only are company representatives attending global trade exhibitions, the company is also bringing in more foreign employees to handle inquiries from customers outside Japan. Currently, Thai, Chinese, Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Korean, Indonesian, Indian, Vietnamese and Nepalese employees are all working together in Vantech’s Japanese facility, and there are also several employees with English speaking skills.



Website: Vantech Co., LtdExternal site: a new window will open